I don't think the 'Dial-O-Grain' scale is made any more. All the Ohaus scales appear to be in grams (i.e. metric) now. Not the same scale. LEE, RCBS, DILLON, and HORNADY all make scales that have a +/- 0.1 grain resolution, suitable for reloading.

The thing about a mechanical (balance) scale made from metal is that it never needs batteries, never has the electronics go bad, and as long as gravity is constant will always be accurate. I'm not so sure about plastic scales that can deteriorate over time.

Yes, accurate enough, would be correct. I have found that the metal balance powder grain scales I've used have a 'built-in' calibration associated with the design of the scale which is altered using a screw and gravity to zero the scale. For whatever reason, triple beam balance scales have a tendency to be more out of calibration. I expect that is due to their increased complexity and wider range of operation. It's always a good idea to check the calibration with a known weight that is similar to what you intend to measure. Measuring 4.0 grains is close to zero for (my) pistol loads. If 100 grains of powder was needed to be measured accurately, a 100 grain calibration weight would be useful. The accuracy of that calibration weight(s) is then a question.

For my money, and knowing something about metrology, the Dillon 13480 powder scale is what I have bought directly from Dillon. It's made by Ohaus, all metal, and will long out-last me with all the accuracy needed. Electronics are convenient and have some nice features, but load cell technology (unless it's very expensive) is not as accurate or reliable as a weight and gravity for the cost. It's not for everyone, and I don't mean to imply that it is.

Last edited by Bullseye_Stan on Tue Dec 19, 2017 11:03 am; edited 4 times in total

I have my great grandfathers Lyman balance beam scale. Very accurate and reliable. I have tried some lesser expensive digital ones and hated em. If I had a very expensive quality digital scale, that might be a different story but I like the Lyman. I haven’t used anything better yet.

if you can find one for a decent price the Lyman M5 is one of the best Ohaus beam scales made. highly prized these days.. the older Ohaus D5 is a good one too. nothing to break on these other than the beam itself.

Electronic scales can be very good but the good ones cost some $$.. even the better ones need to be warmed up.. having it on a separate circuit helps for it to be as repeatable as a good beam scale..

Multiracer wrote:Does anyone have some good feedback regarding the line of Ohaus beam scales named Dial-O-Grain ?

You didn't really state your intended use but for general pistol usage I would recommend a digital, I started with a simple PACT. For more precision use, like 1000 yard NRA high power rifle use I would recommend a simple Redding Model 2 balance. With a simple tuning by a guy in California you can see balance deflection from a single kernel of Varget type stick powder. I think I have $125 into mine with the tuning and using check weights it is very repeatable and accurate in weight. Single digit SD velocity is repeatable.

Dad and I in our benchrest rifle days used both the dial scale and M5 scale. I recall no appreciable difference. The M5 was a little faster, and I preferred it, and use it today. I have two electric scales, a Pact and some generic that was pushed by this list 5-6 years ago.

I just weighed the 260.9gr test wt from the M5 on each electric scale. 260.7 and 260.5 on them. The 5gr test was 4.9 and 4.7 on the two electrics. I trust gravity and visual beam deflection a lot more than I trust calibration.

Here is another question for the group. Lets use Jack H's rifle days as an example.He was shooting really well, testing ammo loads on his electronic scales, he found the perfect amount of grains of powder to improve his shooting. Did Jack H know his electronic scales were ever so slightly off or did he compensate through testing and arrive at the correct shooting score that suited him and his equipment ?

Multiracer wrote:Here is another question for the group. Lets use Jack H's rifle days as an example.He was shooting really well, testing ammo loads on his electronic scales, he found the perfect amount of grains of powder to improve his shooting. Did Jack H know his electronic scales were ever so slightly off or did he compensate through testing and arrive at the correct shooting score that suited him and his equipment ?

That is why some of us are more concerned with repeatability and remeasure a weight or pan load 20 times in a row and verify the repeatability. My Redding is tuned for that and is repeats very accurately. I really don't care too much if it is exactly 45.5 grains of 4064 when that is dialed in, all I know is whatever the amount is produces great SD/ES and shots on call with the majority of the group in half moa of vertical dispersion when I do my part at 600.

I found my cabella's brand electronic was not repeatable on light charge measurements. I took it back and got my money back as a possible .2 grain difference of trying to match someone else's 25 yd .45 recipe (I don't have a chrono) was not what I wanted to do.

Aprilian wrote:I found my cabella's brand electronic was not repeatable on light charge measurements. I took it back and got my money back as a possible .2 grain difference of trying to match someone else's 25 yd .45 recipe (I don't have a chrono) was not what I wanted to do.

I too trust gravity despite it seeming to increase as I age

This is kind of what started this thread. I had a chincy electronic, it was good one day and poor the next. .2 Gr differential every time the pan came off and back on was becoming the norm. So I spent for the classy RCBS unit.....what a pile of shit that thing is. It wont even repeat a calibration with the provided test weights. It too has a .2 gn differential every time the pan comes on and off.

Like I said, I spent a little again and I am still going to be scrounging around for a beam scale.Thanks fellasRon